The writing was on the wall for Musharraf even before the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), once headed by the assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto but now headed by her widower, Asif Zardari, and the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), headed by Sharif, defeated his “king’s party” (PML-Q) resoundingly in parliamentary elections last February….
[Pressure mounts for Musharraf to resign, The iPINIONS Journal, June 12, 2008]
In fact, I was so convinced the game was up for the defiant Musharraf that I offered him the following advice:
It would behoove Musharraf to follow the trail so many of his predecessors have blazed into exile. And, frankly, given the numerous assassination attempts on his life, it would be understandable if Musharraf decided that he’d be better off enjoying time in London, spending the millions he skimmed from US military aid, than wasting time in Pakistan chasing Islamic terrorists.
[D-Day for America’s most-favored dictator…, The iPINIONS Journal, August 24, 2007
Accordingly, less than two weeks ago, Pakistan’s ruling coalition announced not only that it will institute impeachment proceedings against President Musharraf (for “working against democracy…and damaging the economy”) but also that it had 90% support in parliament to ensure his conviction.
It was not surprising therefore that he made the following announcement today:
After consultations with legal advisers and close political supporters and on their advice, I’m taking the decision of resigning.
Of course, what is most noteworthy about this development is the self-evident fact that the only advice Musharraf heeded came from the White House in July after President George W. Bush’s first meeting with Pakistan’s new prime minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani.
More to the point, I have no doubt that Musharraf began packing his bags when Bush, his indispensable political patron, said the following with Gilani brimming proudly by his side:
It’s been a very constructive morning…. Pakistan is a strong ally and a vibrant democracy. The United States supports the democracy and supports the sovereignty of Pakistan.
Enjoy London Pervez…
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